Cars Are Still Being Stolen With Keys Inside

In the last few years, a car has been taken with keys inside every 32 seconds. This is not a case of opportunistic criminality.

This is a growing problem especially for luxury car owners. The thieves often work in pairs. One person holds an amplifier relay while the other carries their transmitter around your driveway.

Keys

The good news is, overall the theft rate of cars is down in the last year. But the bad news is that keys-cars are still being stolen. This kind of crime is particularly troublesome because it often happens in the open and when people are not anticipating it. People who have lost their keys or had them stolen must to take precautions to safeguard their vehicle.

The first thing to do is to check your purse, pockets and all bags you carry on you, especially ones that may contain valuables. You might discover your keys in odd places, such as pockets on your jacket and pants in case you've been on the run. If you're unable to locate your keys, check other places where you've used them, like in your home or at work. This will give you a better idea of where they could be.

If you own a newer car, you will need to contact the dealership or automaker to request replacement keys made. Keys with special chips that need to be re-sequenced with the vehicle's computer. It is also necessary to purchase new key barrels to accommodate the new keys. These can be expensive but they are a great investment in the safety of your vehicle.

It is also recommended to contact the police right away to file a report. This will allow the police to investigate and find the person who stole your items. It will also help you in the event that you need to file an insurance claim. Most insurance companies require a police report to cover the cost of replacing your keys as well as other items.

Installing a car tracker or alarm could help prevent your vehicle being stolen, even if have the keys. These devices can deter thieves, and in some cases, stop them from starting your car, making it more difficult to take it away. Some of these devices are also connected to your phone and can send you alerts when they are altered or moved without your consent.

Remotes

When you lock your car using the key fob, it sends an alarm to alert any potential thieves that your vehicle is secured. But that is just the beginning of many layers of protection.

The thieves can still capture this signal and use it to unlock the door, igniting the engine, then driving away. In fact, they could accomplish this on every vehicle with a smart key or push-to start ignition.

It's a hack that is simple to implement. It's called code grabbing or "key cloning," which involves an electronic device that captures the signal being sent from your key fob, then transmits it to another device that tricked the car into thinking that the actual digital key is nearby. This is a straightforward hack that can be carried out by a maintenance person at a gated community. The devices that can be used for this kind of attack are available online or in your local electronics retailer.

Another method of theft targets the controller area network (CAN) which allows the sensors and control modules of modern cars to communicate with each other. By removing the headlight and connecting the device to the CAN, thieves are able to take the information required to unlock your car, or even take over it while you're driving it on the highway.

While the newer, more sophisticated keyless entry systems that are now standard on most vehicles may aid in reducing this type of crime however, the National Insurance Crime Bureau has observed a 20% increase in thefts of cars that have keys and remotes inside. The NICB recommends that you always secure your vehicle, even when parked in the driveway to warm it up, or while you are stopping for gas or a coffee.

Don't fall for the hype, such as placing your key fob in the freezer or in the microwave to stop the signal. It's not foolproof, and is only a deterrent for the most determined thieves. It's also worth considering having your vehicle's remote reprogrammed if you buy a second-hand model. Many auto locksmiths and dealers are able to do this quickly and cheaply, although some experts advise against this when you are planning to sell your vehicle.

Locks

You know how horrible it is to wake up in the morning only to discover that your car is gone. Especially when you haven't heard your alarm go off, or observed any indicators of intrusion, it could seem like your car has disappeared overnight. Fortunately, the worst part is over, but there's the issue of here getting it back!

The technology has changed and thieves have adapted the latest methods of securing. In the movies, you might have seen thieves wiring cars. However, the majority of thieves use technology to hack keyless entry systems. This means that thieves are able to unlock your vehicle and then drive it away.

To accomplish this, a criminal could purchase a device that can capture the signal sent by your car's key fob. They then transmit the captured signal to a different device that can open your car, allowing them to start and drive it away. This is known as a relay attack and criminal gangs are more and more using this method.

The good news is, you can take steps to stop it from happening to you. Installing a key lock protector, which blocks signals from your car's key fob is a method to avoid this. This is a cheap solution that is simple to install and can help you protect your car from thieves. Another option is to put a tracker on your vehicle, which can help to locate your vehicle in the event that it is stolen.

It's also a good idea to keep your keys somewhere other than your car and never put keys in the ignition. You should also make sure that you check with your insurance provider because some insurance companies offer cover for keys and will provide an exchange in the event of theft.

You can also install a brake or steering wheel lock to stop a burglar from stealing your car. On the internet, you can purchase these for a low cost and they're easily adjusted to fit all automobiles. If you're a family with two cars the wheel lock can be used on both vehicles. There are locks that can be fitted to the pedals, which could stop a thief from operating the clutch and brake pedals.

Alarms

Car alarms are designed to activate when someone attempts to break into your vehicle. They emit a loud, piercing noise that scares off the majority of thieves. However the majority of thieves are becoming technologically sophisticated, and they know how to shut off alarms swiftly. This prevents them from being alerted of anything suspicious around them, and they can also get away with the vehicle while the owner is outside attempting to unlock the car.

The majority of modern cars come with alarms and is a great way to avoid theft. Alarms are activated through the key fob, or the actual key. They are able to monitor the vehicle and detect vibrations or movement. If they discover that something is not right, they will sound the siren, and then possibly flash the lights.

Certain alarms can be programmed to be activated in certain scenarios, for example when the pressure inside the vehicle changes. This is intended to deter thieves from breaking the windows to take the rims. The sensor is able to react to events that are completely unrelated, such as earthquakes or tracks of trains passing through a poorly built parking lot.

Another kind of alarm is one that will be activated if the vehicle's ignition has been altered. This is a great feature, but it can be susceptible to false triggers. This is particularly true if the vehicle is parked in an alleyway or dark spot where passersby can accidentally bump into the vehicle.

There are a variety of other methods to protect your vehicle from theft with keys, including the use of tyre clamps or steering wheel locks, as well as Faraday bags that prevent the signal of the car from the key fob. Making the report as soon as you can to police is essential. They will provide you with an identification number that can assist in locating the thieves and retrieve your vehicle. It is also recommended to think about obtaining a key care coverage from your insurance company, which covers the cost of replacing the key fob and programming the immobiliser.